The San Francisco 49ers are entering their Week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams with a couple of glaring issues on their roster. A handful of available free agents could help them patch up those lingering holes.
Both sides of the trenches could be a significant issue for the 49ers this season, particularly early in the year while they deal with injuries and getting young players acclimated to the NFL. Adding veteran free agents won't help a team that aimed to get younger and more athletic in the offseason. They could help a team that desperately needs more stability down its depth chart on the offensive and defensive lines.
We went through the list of available free agents and found two players on each side of the ball that could bolster
San Francisco's depth in the trenches:
DE Leonard Floyd
A reunion with Floyd probably would've happened already if it's something the two sides wanted. Floyd spent the 2024 season in San Francisco and then spent last year with the Atlanta Falcons where current 49ers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris was the head coach. Floyd, who turns 34 the Tuesday before the season starts, is past his prime as an edge rusher. He posted only four sacks and tied a career low with 36 pressures last season. But his experience as a pass rush specialist would be helpful in a group that just placed defensive end Sam Okuayinonu on IR while also dealing with injuries to DEs Nick Bosa and Romello Height.
DL Denico Autry
If the 49ers aren't going to add more pass rush help on the edges, adding it to the interior could be another solution. Autry, 36, has 36 pressures and seven sacks the last two years in 405 pass rush snaps. His usefulness as an every-down player has waned as he entered his mid-30s, but there's a good chance he'd be the 49ers' best rotational DT option as soon as he got onto the roster. It looks like the 49ers are going to let players like Alfred Collins and CJ West figure it out in their second seasons, but they should be ready to get Autry on the phone if their depth on the defensive interior continues lacking.
OT Taylor Decker
It's unlikely we'll stop talking about the 49ers' offensive line depth at any point this year. With a 38-year-old Trent Williams starting at left tackle, however, the left tackle situation is one we'll have out closest eye on. Austen Pleasants is out for at least four weeks with a knee injury and the other backup tackle is Vederian Lowe who has had mixed success at best as a pro. Decker would give the 49ers a legitimate swing tackle option who might be able to keep the left side of the O-line from collapsing if Williams misses time at any point.
OL Kevin Zeitler
The 49ers should've signed Zeitler the minute it became clear none of Robert Jones, Connor Colby or Carver Willis were going to assert themselves as the top option at left guard. It's worth noting Zeitler has only played right guard across his 14-year career, but it's hard to imagine the 36-year-old would struggle with a handful of practices on the left side. Zeitler was still a productive player with the Tennessee Titans last year and having him as a starter on the O-line would all San Francisco's depth chart to get stronger at the top with the potential starting options falling in as reserves.
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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 4 veteran free agents who would immediately help 49ers 2 roster issues
